"It is tremendously rewarding because every day you risk your emotions to get something accomplished, and you can see it happen," he says. "As an athlete, I'm used to that. You play a game, and you can produce right there on the spot; it's immediately gratifying. The same thing can happen in teaching. If you have a bad day, you know there's another day coming, and you can make up for it. Teaching is a high-intensity profession, and I like high-intensity things."

Tom, who at 70 is battling cancer, maintains his optimistic attitude:

"The most important thing is to live in the now," he said, "and whatever will happen, will happen. It's completely rewarding to know I succeeded in two areas of my life. And of course, I have three wonderful children. You have beautiful, wonderful children, and you have some success, you know, life could be worse."